Under the Blue by Suzannah V. Evans is a poetry collection that focuses on everyday life, creating it as something that is incredibly special and unique. Through the use of imagery and powerful descriptions, Evans shows us just how important even the most simple of moments can be. As we read through this insightful and perceptive collection of poems, we notice how deeply Evans looks into moments and memories that would usually go unnoticed by most.
In the first poem of the collection, ‘Under the Blue’, Evans presents a moment which describes an experience at sea. This situation includes a group of people who are attempting to push and get into a kayak, yet get quickly overwhelmed by the aggressiveness of the waves ahead. What begins as a simple situation soon becomes intense as we notice the intensity of the sea. This sudden chaos reflects the narrator’s sudden fear and confusion as they watch the scene unfold before them. This creates a clear shift between the tenses when the narrator states “my mind pivots to several years ago”, showing how the moment at sea triggers an unwanted return to an unfortunate past experience. This suggests that the present situation is closely connected to past trauma, which can sometimes return to someone’s mind unexpectedly. The poem shifts between a calm scene to chaotic events and reflection, emphasising how quickly control can be lost in multiple ways. It further suggests how both physical and mental situations can easily become uncontrollable, showing us that even moments that may begin as manageable can quickly become difficult. Through this, Evans creates a sense of tension for the reader, as the calm beginning is slowly replaced with unpredictability.
In ‘Bright’, Evans explores a feeling of struggling to relax after intimate experiences. The poem starts by describing everyday moments, beginning with reading before shifting into a sexual encounter. However, this is then followed by overthinking and difficulty in getting the mind to relax. This is highlighted through the juxtaposition of “lights out”, which describes the physical space, and the idea that the narrator’s “mind feels very bright”. This implies that even when the surroundings are dark and quiet, the narrator’s thoughts remain constant, almost as if they’re overthinking and detached from the moment. The situation seems to cause the writer to dwell on things rather than relax. The poem also moves between reality and dream-like imagery, with scattered thoughts and images such as a barking dog and even surreal dreams involving strangers and shells. These shifting moments make it feel almost as though the writer is struggling to separate their dreams from their actual life, and it appears more like everything is intertwining and blurring for them. Additionally, even the title ‘Bright’ can be seen as ironic as the narrator’s mind feels active and unable to settle throughout the poem. This therefore may lead the reader to feel a sense of sympathy for the writer, because their thoughts and memories continue to make any idea of rest incredibly difficult.
‘Postcard with the Wind’ presents a more observational tone, focusing on the wind’s power as it disturbs the peace of the nighttime. The poem describes the wind as a force that is “tearing” through the dark landscape and “buffets the house”. This use of personification makes the wind feel a lot more active and aggressive, creating a sense that nature is uncontrollable and cannot be predicted. Throughout the poem, the narrator also talks about what could potentially happen because of the storm. The writer describes the house as being “blown over”, which adds slight fear to the poem. As the poem continues, the wind is described as more evocative through the personification of “moaning” and “sighing” across the walls, suggesting that the heaviness of the storm never really stops.
In the poem ‘Letter To My Mother’, Evans presents a deep emotional connection to their mother through a list of recollections. The poem moves through core memories such as moments at school, shared laughter and even physical descriptions like “red lipstick” and “floppy hat”. This creates and implies a strong sense of closeness between them, further suggesting that they have a very strong and loving relationship. Evans also uses a lot of repetition throughout the poem, particularly in the phrase “You, with…”, almost as if the narrator is trying to emphasise different aspects of their mother’s appearance and identity. It suggests that she can be remembered in multiple different ways rather than through just one image. As the poem continues, the narrator shifts into the present, where they describe even more modern-day situations and how they link back to their mother. This can be seen specifically in the line: “the movement of my arms is for you”, suggesting that this strong connection between them is long-lasting and permanent. This line also links with other poems that discuss the physical difficulties of the writer’s mother, emphasising how pure their relationship is. Through ‘Letter To My Mother’, Evans presents memory as something that is always ongoing. This further underlines how relationships continue to shape somebody’s life even after some moments with individuals have passed. This may lead the reader to feel a sense of warmth towards the memories and their personal feelings.
Overall, Under the Blue presents a range of experiences which move across chaos, intimacy, nature, and memory. Throughout the collection, Evans explores how moments, even the most simple of moments, can impact a person’s daily life. The poems often leave an impression through their imagery and emotional depth, which encourage the reader to think more deeply about everyday experiences. The collection feels thoughtful and layered, with each poem offering the reader a different perspective on how people notice the world around them.
